Merchandising Specialist (HQ Operations / K-Beauty (Los Angeles)

Pay Range : $79,000 - $95,000 / year + Eligible for annual performance-based bonus

Benefits : 401(k) with Company Match, Employee Discount Program, Lifestyle Allowance, Mobile Phone Plan Reimbursement, Comprehensive Health / Dental / Vision Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, Flexible Work Hours, Wellness Days, Creative Days, Monthly Team Building Budget and more!

About Us

CJ OLIVE YOUNG introduced the first Korean health and beauty store in 1999, pioneering the industry and becoming Koreas No. 1 Health & Beauty Store. With over 1,370 stores across Korea and a global network reaching 150 countries, OLIVE YOUNG is now evolving into a Global Lifestyle Platform that brings the best of beauty and health to customers worldwide.

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc is a dynamic and fast-growing beauty retailer specializing in K-beauty skincare and cosmetics in North America! As we expand, we are also curating a selection of local U.S. beauty brands, bringing innovative and high-quality products to our customers.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Merchandising Specialist to join our team. This role will be critical in facilitating smooth operations between our Headquarters and local teams while also managing key relationships with Korean beauty brands located in both Korea and the U.S. You will oversee product assortment planning, inventory management, and the development of local merchandising strategies. This role requires a blend of strong operational management and cross-functional collaboration to ensure that our merchandising processes align with business goals and meet the demands of both our headquarters and local markets.

What Youll Do

Build and nurture strong relationships with Korean beauty brands located in both Korea and the U.S., ensuring their product offerings are well-represented in our stores.

Develop and execute merchandising strategies tailored to meet the needs of the U.S. market while adhering to global brand standards from headquarters.(Including exclusive GWPs, sets, gift packs)

Manage the registration and launch of new products, ensuring accurate system updates and effective product communication with all stakeholders.

Oversee regular ordering processes, ensuring timely product availability and proper SHD (Stock Handling & Distribution) management in collaboration with our Korean suppliers.

Monitor and manage product portfolios and pipelines, ensuring steady growth for brands and product lines from Korea.

Work closely with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to drive successful product launches, promotions, and campaigns.

Analyze sales data and customer insights to adjust the product assortment and ensure the right products are available to meet demand.

Foster close relationships with marketing, sales, supply chain, and operations teams in both Korea and the U.S. to ensure smooth product flow and alignment of merchandising strategies.

Regularly report on key merchandising initiatives and performance metrics to senior leadership and HQ, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.

Serve as the key liaison between our headquarters and local teams, ensuring seamless communication and alignment of merchandising operations.

Oversee contract negotiations and ensure all agreements are properly documented and integrated into databases.

Manage Regulatory Compliance by coordinating MOCRA-related issues and ensuring local regulatory requirements are met.

Develop and document inbound processes for local operations, ensuring a smooth warehouse management in collaboration with HQ.

Support to building of local e-commerce, working with HQ teams on screen development, pricing strategies, and other related functions.

Manage new brand entries by coordinating with HQ (Global Cross Border Ecommerce) and Brands local headquarters, handling inquiries and finalizing transaction terms.

Conduct comprehensive market research to understand competitor offerings, emerging trends, and customer preferences.

Use insights to guide merchandising decisions and ensure the brands product offerings are competitive and relevant to the local market.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in merchandising, retail buying, or related fields, ideally with experience working with Korean beauty brands.

Strong background in managing cross-functional teams and facilitating communication between headquarters and local teams.

Experience in product assortment planning, sales analysis, inventory management, and global supply chain coordination.

Expertise in working with both U.S. and international teams to ensure seamless product flow from Korea to local markets.

Proficiency in merchandising software, ERP systems, and advanced Excel for data analysis.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills, particularly with Korean suppliers and beauty brands.

Creative and data-driven with strong market analysis and trend forecasting capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Background in Beauty industry is strongly preferred.

Bilingual proficiency in English and Korean is highly desirable.

Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel proficiency; experience with other planning tools or systems is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CJ Olive Young USA, Inc is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe in hiring with empathy and strive to build a diverse workforce that reflects our community. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to these factors.